NM drunken driver sues buddy, restaurants
By Associated Press
Mar 8, 2013 12:04 PM CST

A repeat drunken driver convicted in a crash that killed two teenagers is suing his drinking buddy and two Santa Fe restaurants that served him alcohol.

The Albuquerque Journal reported Friday (http://bit.ly/WyvZZz) that James Ruiz filed a lawsuit Wednesday in New Mexico District Court and is seeking monetary damages from the friend he was out drinking with as well as Applebee's and the Blue Corn Cafe.

The lawsuit, filed by Ruiz without a lawyer, claims the restaurants and his friend caused Ruiz emotional distress when he was served drinks in 2010.

Police say Ruiz rammed his truck into a car and killed two teenage sisters from the Navajo reservation.

He's serving a 40-year prison sentence after entering a guilty plea in 2011.

In a statement, Santa Fe Dining, a restaurant group that includes Blue Corn Cafe, declined to comment. Applebee's did not immediately return a phone message and email from The Associated Press.

___

Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com